The Gotthard Panorama Express travels from Ticino to Lucerne through the charm of the Gotthard. From the heart of Switzerland you can then continue to a singular open-air museum full of animals.
The popularity and appeal of the Gotthard Pass have endured through the centuries: in Roman times, this Alpine crossing was the shortest route between southern and northern Europe, but it also represented a gruelling journey that could only be made on foot or with mules. Over time, more manageable roads were built to allow the passage of carriages, yet in 1850 a stagecoach journey between Milan and Basel still took around 50 hours. Journey times were only reduced with the construction of the railway and the railway tunnel: in 1882, the Gotthard Tunnel was inaugurated and, at 15 kilometres, was the longest in the world at the time.
Since 1988, this fascinating, history-rich route has been served by one of Switzerland's many panoramic trains, the Gotthard Panorama Express. It is a travel experience that combines train and boat and allows you to admire spectacular mountains as well as a relaxing lakeside landscape. You board in Canton Ticino, at Lugano or Bellinzona, cross the Gotthard and, once you reach Flüelen, take a vessel all the way to Lucerne, in the Switzerland of origins. Five and a half hours is the time needed to cover the route, which can also be done in reverse. Before departing, both Lugano, with its lake and Monte San Salvatore, and Bellinzona, with its three castles designated as Unesco World Heritage Sites, are certainly worth a visit. And once you reach your destination, Lucerne will delight you with its historically rich landmarks such as the Chapel Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Europe and symbol of the city, or with the captivating mountains that rise above Lake Lucerne, such as Mount Rigi.
From Lucerne it is then possible to embark on another thrilling journey. From the city you can set off towards Interlaken, one of Switzerland's most beloved destinations, aboard the Luzern–Interlaken Express: seated in your carriage, over two hours of travel — which can also be done in reverse — you will admire the beauty of five mountain lakes and the surrounding peaks. As you approach the Brünig Pass, it will be interesting to observe how the train switches to rack-and-pinion mode in order to tackle the ascent. Once you arrive in Interlaken, set out to explore the area: a singular excursion is a visit to the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum, with around a hundred houses, stables, barns and cellars transported here from every region of Switzerland as a living testimony to the architecture and social history of rural life in the past, together with vegetable gardens, fields, meadows, pastures and the approximately 250 animals that populate and bring the museum to life.
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